Tim Farrow for Collingswood Board of Education

Dash Farrow, LLP partner Tim Farrow is pleased to announce his candidacy for re-election to the Collingswood Board of Education.

Below is a statement of his candidacy.

Tim Farrow for Collingswood Board of Education

“I am current member of the Board of Education, in the last year of my first term. My wife Jodie and I have lived in Collingswood for nearly ten years, and we have four boys, Patrick, Connor, Teddy, and Thomas. When they are not flying down Park Avenue on their bikes or scooters or tearing up the house, Patrick and Connor attend Zane North in 3rd and 1st grade, respectively. Teddy is in Pre-K and Thomas is three-years old.

I am an attorney and partner at Dash Farrow, LLP in Moorestown, where my practice focuses on criminal defense. I currently serves as Chair of the Rutgers University Alumni Association and have been active on several volunteer boards, including the Burlington County Bar Association, where I am a Past President. My wife Jodie and I are active volunteers in Collingswood. I am the attorney-coach for the High School Mock Trial team and have coached soccer, baseball, and basketball, and Jodie has served as PTA co-president and current member of the Historical Preservation Board.”

Philosophy of Education:

“Our education system is the foundation of our nation, our State, and of course, our town. Teachers are the heart of that system, and they should be valued, honored, and respected for playing that crucial role. Parents and teachers should be partners in our children’s education, but as experts and professionals, teachers should take the lead. Lastly, educators should be free to creatively build upon their expertise without constraints of over-regulation and broad-based assessments.”

Why would you like to serve on the school board?

“My wife and I love this town. Our schools are the future of our town, and I want their reputation to match the reputation of our Main Street and restaurants. In the last three years, I have seen first-hand that our schools have earned that respect, and I am proud of the work we have done to build upon that success. I love working with the people on this Board and in our administration. There is still much to do, and I look forward to having the opportunity to continue that progress.”

What are the biggest challenges for Collingswood schools?

The ever-present challenge for our Schools is the falsehood created by “school rankings”. One of our greatest strengths is our diversity, but “school rankings” and “scores” fail to take that into account. Because some of our students might start out with less opportunity to succeed than others, standardized test scores and graduation rates might always be lower than in more affluent towns. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive to do better, but we have to work harder to taut our progress through other means outside the box of “school rankings”.
The other recent challenge is communication. Everyone is aware of the recent issue this summer involving our Schools, the Police, and the Prosecutor’s Office. As has been stated in letters, forums, and meetings, our Board and our administration has accepted responsibility for making mistakes in communication. We have learned that communication with the Prosecutor’s Office and our community could have been improved, and I vow to ensure that proper communication with our parents will remain a paramount concern of our Board.

What are the biggest strengths of Collingswood schools?

As I said above, one of the biggest strengths is our diversity. Our children are extremely fortunate to learn in an environment, where they can learn not only from textbooks, but through their experience and friendship with so many other children with backgrounds and lives different than theirs.

Another strength is our passion and love for this town. Our residents are passionate about our children and passionate about our schools too. They are willing to volunteer and challenge our schools to be the best they can be, and the future is only brighter.”

Tim Farrow, of Dash Farrow, LLP, is an experienced criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor who handles criminal defense matters of any kind. When you need experienced, focused, and responsive legal help, call Dash Farrow, LLP at 856-235-8300 or Contact Us Here. We serve individuals and businesses throughout Burlington and Camden County, and all of South Jersey.